Agenda item

Alterations to existing caravan park including the removal of the existing touring caravan and caravan storage areas and the development of a new area to accommodate 30 holiday cabins. [Strensall Ward]

Members considered a full application, submitted by Mr J Ord, for alterations to existing caravan park including the removal of the existing touring caravan and caravan storage areas and the development of new area to accommodate 30 holiday cabins.

Officers updated that the applicant had now realigned the units in the north east corner of the site further away from the badger sett. It was confirmed that the units were now far enough away to ensure that no licence was required from Defra. The Council’s Ecology Officer had also confirmed that no mitigation measures would now be required.

Consultations had been undertaken with the Foss Internal Drainage Board and the Environment Agency in relation to drainage at the site. It was confirmed that the surface water drainage would continue to be to the ground into a herringbone system and that the foul water would be disposed of into the existing on-site cesspools. In the event of an increase in the foul water discharge the applicant had agreed to introduce a private treatment plant system. Officers updated that, in order to cover any drainage problems, Conditions 6 and 7 required amendment. 

Members questioned details in relation to the surface area of the cabins, the density per hectare, details of screening and boundary treatments.

Representations in objection to the application were received from a neighbour who indicated that he felt the application was ambiguous and that the proposal was effectively a low cost housing estate in the country. He did not consider that the proposals put forward in relation to drainage would be adequate to cope with the increased number of units. His objections also related to the destruction of wildlife habitat and screening, pollution, increased traffic and light pollution.  

Representations were also received from the applicant’s agent who confirmed that additional planting and screening would be undertaken both on site and at the boundary. He confirmed that the site licence also imposed conditions on the site and its surroundings. He refuted that the site would become a village development but that the applicant was intending to improve facilities for all users. He stated that the applicant had confirmed that the watercourses adjacent to the site were flowing freely and he felt that the drainage proposals would be sufficient for the scheme.

Members also questioned details of owners access to the cabins during the 2 month period when they would be unoccupied, insulation, rain harvesting and visitor parking.

RESOLVED:That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the addition and amendment of the following conditions:

1             No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a scheme for the surface water drainage arrangements has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This scheme shall include sustainable methods of drainage systems such as rain water harvesting and no part of the development shall be brought into use until such a scheme has been agreed.

Reason. In the interests of satisfactory drainage within, and adjacent to, the application site and in the interests of sustainability.

 2            No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a scheme for the conveyance of foul drainage to a private treatment plant has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. No part of the development shall be brought into use until such a treatment plant has been constructed.

Reason. In the interests of satisfactory foul water drainage and in order to prevent pollution of the water environment.

 3               Details of all means of enclosure to the site boundaries shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before the development commences and shall be provided before the development is occupied.

Reason:  In the interests of the visual amenities of the area.

REASON: In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the tourism related development, visual impact on the open countryside, highway safety, nature conservation and sustainability.  As such the proposal complies with Policies V5, GP1, GP4a, NE1 and T5 of the City of York Draft Local Plan incorporating the 4th set of changes approved April 2005.